The impact of varying argument quality and minority size on influencing the majority and perceptions of the minority

Abstract

Past minority influence research has found that the number of minority subgroup members and argument quality can affect the likelihood of the minority subgroup being able to influence the majority subgroup. How minority size and argument quality affect minority influence and perceptions of the minority is addressed in this study. Confederates were used to vary argument quality and the size of the minority subgroup while keeping consistency of presenting the minority's side of the issue constant. Groups discussed a topic and measures were used to assess the amount of influence, perceived competence, perceived correctness, and how much the minority was liked. Results indicated that both argument quality and minority size were important when attempting to influence the majority and a large minority can compensate for a minority using weak arguments while a small minority using weak arguments residts in strengthening the majority's initial opinion. The perceptions fostered by the minority were a function of an argument quality by group size interaction.